Seattle appoints new members to help invent the future

The council will act as an advisor on issues and policies affecting the city where data and technology could be of benefit

Seattle has some of the most forward-facing companies in its backyard

Seattle has named additional members of its first ever Innovation Advisory Council (IAC), established to come up with innovative solutions to address issues including homelessness, housing, and transportation.

In addition to the initial commitments made by Amazon, Artefact Group, Expedia Group, Flying Fish, Microsoft, Tableau, Technology Access Foundation, Washington Technology Industry Association, and Zillow Group, the council is being joined by technology leaders from F5, Facebook, Twitter, Loftium, and the University of Washington.

Data and technology

The council will act as advisor on issues and policies affecting the city, where data and technology solutions could be of benefit. Specifically, the IAC will focus on issue identification, policy recommendations, and project implementation of technology solutions including new data analytics, dashboards, applications, and software for the city. Members and their businesses will commit to helping deliver these technology solutions.

“Seattle is a city that has always invented the future. We are lucky to have the most innovative and forward-facing companies and workers anywhere in the world right here in our backyard to work with us in the coming months on a series of projects,” said Jenny Durkan, Seattle mayor.

“Government cannot solve all our challenges, which is why we must come together towards innovative solutions within our own government as well as our region’s biggest challenges, including homelessness, affordability, and transportation. While technology alone cannot fix our most pressing issues, it must be part of the holistic solution.”

“We here at the Technology Access Foundation are excited to be working with the city and other leaders in the technology community to address some of the most pressing issues facing Seattle today,” said Dziko.

"While technology alone cannot fix our most pressing issues, it must be part of the holistic solution”

“We believe in technology as a tool for realising social change – and we are dedicated to realising this change at the city level to help develop technology solutions that will address issues including homelessness, traffic and Seattle’s affordability crisis.”

In addition, Facebook has committed an individual to join the IAC. The Innovation Advisory Council will continue to grow and expand as new members are added. The first meeting of the Innovation Advisory Council will be held on 20 September.

“At Expedia Group, we work together to bring the world within reach,” added Bhutani. “We are excited to partner with mayor Durkan’s Innovation Advisory Council to find new ways to connect people and services through innovation with technology.”

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